UK Motorcycle Registrations Hit A New Low For End Of 2017

MOTORCYCLE sales have continued a downward trend towards the end of 2017.

Figures from the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) revealed that total new motorcycles registrations dropped a staggering 51.3% in December compared to the same month in 2016. Looks like the cold spells are really hitting us hard.

This is the biggest year-on-year decline of any month in 2017 and has brought sales performance for the year to its lowest point. Worrying news to say the least.

In terms of the number of motorcycles sold since the beginning of 2017 (year-to-date sales), the fall is 18.5% compared to 2016.

The trend began at the start of 2017 but the decline sharpened from July onward.

If we include mopeds, which normally bolster the stats, it appears sales are down 59.1% in December and 11.6% for the year.

The worst hit class are supersports - down 69.9% for December and 30.1% for the year. With all likelihood a contributing factor may be due to a reduction of offerings, with several models having been discontinued rather than updated to meet Euro4 emissions.

Earlier in 2017, the MCIA also pointed to the change in emission limits as a contributor to the decline in new registrations.

December 2016 was the deadline to register bikes not meeting the new limits, meaning some will have been pre-registered by dealers that month to sell in 2017.

Since these bikes were sold last year, they won't have contributed to the latest registration figures.

An MCIA spokeswoman said in June: 'The registration deadline for Euro3 stock was December 31, so stock which was registered before the end of the year has and is being sold now, but won’t show up in the registration data again.'